McKEVER Hotel Group has appointed a new general manager to oversee a £300,000 makeover of its latest acquisition.

Kenny Rattray is taking control at The Cairn Hotel in Bathgate, West Lothian, after two years in the McKever head office.

The 27-year-old aims to raise standards throughout the hotel.

He said: "We're painting the outside, extensively upgrading the conference and events facilities to attract more corporate and wedding business and carrying out the first phase of a full bedroom refurbishment, so there's lots of improvements which will make a big difference.

"We're a great three-star hotel with four-star ambitions."

The group has also appointed a new head chef, who will be bringing in new menus.

There are also plans for a games room and children's play area.

McKever Group currently has 14 hotels in Scotland and a number of serviced city apartments.

The company was established in 1990 by Alistair McKever, a former welder turned property developer, and has more than 20 hotels in its portfolio.

In the past two years it has doubled in size and it has further expansion plans for Scotland and the rest of the UK in the coming months.